Gone to the Dogs uses Fairview Park's Lorain Road Loan Program to open new location

FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- Longtime Fairview Park business owners Jeff Grano and Jan Gilson are embarking on a new adventure -- moving their longtime Lorain Road business Gone to the Dogs a quarter-mile down the busy thoroughfare.

The impetus for the relocation is the Lorain Road Loan Program, which is a partnership among Fairview Park, Cuyahoga County and the Small Business Administration (SBA) that offers a three-year forgivable loan to assist in improvements to a building.

"I was really excited, but thought maybe I'll get a couple thousand dollars that can help this project," Grano said. "Of course, not really realizing that this project was going to have a $605,000 budget.

"Also, I knew I had to have a technical review with an SBA director and didn't know what that comprised of. But, as I always approach life, nothing ventured, nothing gained. The program was kind of a catalyst to our plans in owning vs. leasing again," Grans said.

Fairview Park Director of Public Service & Development Shawn Leininger said the Lorain Road Loan Program requires at least 10 percent equity into the project, technical assistance from a Small Business Development Center and the use of an SBA loan.

"Basically, from a business standpoint, we're funding retail, restaurants, law office or professional services," Leininger said. "We're also creating jobs as part of this program. Our portion of the forgivable loan can only be used for certain expenditures.

"Our focus is on capital expenditures or improvements to the building or property. It could be property acquisition, construction, interior or exterior renovation. Or, we'll even fund equipment that's permanent to the building, as well," Leininger said.

Gone to the Dogs -- which has been located in Fairview Park for 20 years and also has a North Ridgeville-Avon location -- met criteria of the Lorain Road Loan Program through its total investment amount, plan to add three new full-time jobs, as well as retain 13 jobs in the community, and improve a building that's been vacant for at least one year.

"This means a lot to my sister and business partner, Jan Gilson, and myself," Grano said. "We've gone from the two of us and one groomer and no customers to 15 employees and hundreds of active customers. Due to this program, we have already hired new staff and are getting a lot of new and interested customers.

"This program is instrumental in helping small business America move their businesses forward and make them feel rewarded for their continued accomplishments and contributions to their communities," he said.

While Gone to the Dogs already has had a soft opening, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 17 at its 21475 Lorain Road location, which encompasses 2,800 square feet with an outside area.

"I'm so excited to stay on Lorain Road, especially where we are located," Grano said. "There are great neighboring businesses and visibility. I would never move my business from Fairview Park if I could help it."